Fr. Abraham Feliciano, Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, on an outing with DBCR students.

Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School is the newest high school in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. It brings hope and promise to underserved youth from the poorest neighborhoods of our nation’s capital and forms a unique partnership between the Archdiocese, the Salesians and the Cristo Rey Network of Schools.

Salesian Rector Major, Fr. Pascual Chavez was very impressed by what he saw and heard on a visit to DBCR in September, 2007.

The Cristo Rey Network is a growing network of schools in the U.S. dedicated to preparing underprivileged young people for college. Each school offers an outstanding education to deserving students who would otherwise never be able to afford Catholic High School. Students pay the majority of tuition costs through a Corporate Work Study Program which affords them the wonderful opportunity to enhance their education with work experience at law firms, banks, hospitals, and other institutions.

Don Bosco Cristo Rey opened its doors in August 2007 to 127 ninth graders. Each year a new class will be added until the school reaches its capacity of 500. Accepted students are highly motivated and employable, but in need of assistance. During the school’s first year they welcomed a multicultural mix of boys and girls with the majority coming from families with an income of under $32,000 for a family of four. Although Catholic based, the school is open to all, without discrimination, and emphasizes building character with the goal of helping students reach their full potential as individual children of God.

Don Bosco Cristo Rey students must work hard to achieve the goals they have undertaken. They are expected to be responsible and motivated in all they do,whether at work, in school, at home, or elsewhere. The rigorous academic and work schedule is very challenging for all students,however, every member of the faculty and staff is determined to help them succeed in every way possible.

It is the hope and expectation that all graduates of Don Bosco Cristo Rey are spiritually mature men and women who possess the knowledge and faith to continue to educate themselves and others throughout their lives.

St. John Bosco taught students to “be who you are and be it well.” The devoted teaching staff encourages students to strive to reach their goals.

Most educational costs are covered by the students’ work through the Hire 4Ed Corporate Work Study Program, however the school’s needs are still great. Help is needed for student transportation to the workplace,costs for food (breakfast/lunch), textbooks, and to assist their neediest students with their professional dress.

Perhaps their greatest challenge is converting the small elementary school originally built for 250 children into a real high school with science labs, a library, a college counseling area, and additional classrooms and offices for 500 students. They will not have enough space in this facility beyond this school year and have begun a campaign to assist in capital and scholarship efforts.

The success of all schools in the Cristo Rey Network is outstanding - last year, 98% of high school graduates were enrolled in college! With your help and prayers, we can watch Don Bosco Cristo Rey students achieve their dreams.